Category: Announcements

Want to:
Build a strong understanding of the various forms of intellectual property protection.
Delve into substantive case law and see intellectual property laws at play.
Anticipate when the copyright fair use rule is and is not applicable.
Pick up trademark application and enforcement best practices.
Protect clients' confidential information or trade secrets through solid non-disclosure agreements.
Gain helpful strategies for dealing with various patent issues
I will be a featured presenter for a National Business Institute online seminar on January 22, 2017 , providing high level overview of trademark basics, registration, and enforcement. See https://www.nbi-sems.com/ProductDetails/78436ER?ctname=SPKEM for additional information and pricing.
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Good Advice From Insurance Broker Sarah Smith
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Open enrollment for 2018 health insurance begins November 1st. As I write this on October 20th, the U.S. Congress recently struck a deal with the White House to approve subsidies to health insurers, which in turn helps stabilize health premiums. 2018 rates are expected to be very close to 2017 rates, and in some cases, you may have a slight reduction.
Last year, the Minnesota legislators approved rebates of ~25% for those of you who did not qualify for a MnSure low income subsidy. That rebate will be expiring December 31st. At present, I’ve not heard if Minnesota plans to renew the program.
If you have a bronze plan (the most affordable offered) and you like your current doctors, you’re probably best to keep that same plan in 2018.
OUT-OF-POCKET (OOP) LIMITS FOR 2018
OOP is the most you can be on the hook to pay, above and beyond your monthly premium. These limits are up $200 over last...

From the MN Secretary of State
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NOTICE: Owners of pre-2015 limited liability companies in Minnesota: Upcoming changes to the law will affect your business.
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSS) wants to remind all limited liability companies formed prior to August 1, 2015 that they will become subject to a new law passed by the 2015 Legislature, Chapter 322C, beginning January 1, 2018.
It is recommended that owners contact their attorneys, accountants or other business advisors well before the end of the calendar year to review the impact of the new law.
The new law pertaining to LLCs may bring significant changes to governance and management, operating agreements, and other aspects of your business.
All owners of an interest in an LLC should be aware of the impending law change, and should review the governing documents of the LLC to determine whether any adjustments are necessary. The law does provide certain provisions to smooth the transition to the new law. For further information...

Attorney Ken Kunkle was recently quoted for an article in the Washington Post about potential conflicts of interest involving President Trump's trademark portfolio. For a complete read see: Airplanes, golf courses, trademarks and more: Trump’s government will oversee his businesses ....

As an attorney, I feel compelled to speak up concerning the proposed Voter Identification Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Putting aside the partisan political aspects of the issue for a moment, this is a bad idea. Simple ideas sometimes have complex consequences, and in the case of voter id, the simple idea is both expensive and potentially harmful to our most sacred right as Americans.
The Minnesota Constitution was enacted in 1857. Generally speaking, amendments to constitutions are made to accomplish things that cannot be done through the legislative process. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in MN and the Voter Id Amendment is a prime example. In the case of the Voter Id Amendment, some Legislators decided they had a law they wanted to pass, and rather than working the law through normal legislative channels which require the checks and balances of Executive Branch approval and judicial oversight, they are seeking to circumvent and embed the administrative practice of...

From the folks at Giant Steps 2011
Dear Creative Minds and Brave Souls,
We are excited to officially open registration for Giant Steps 2011, a day-long interactive event for creative entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial creatives forging their own paths.
Giant Steps will inspire you, connect you with like-minded souls, and introduce you to valuable resources. Giant steps is where people in the know will exchange ideas and stories with people on the verge of their creative and entrepreneurial paths. Giant Steps is about creating a community and finding new ways of working. And Giant Steps believes a great day of connections and creativity is best finished with an amazing evening concert!
In the follow-up survey to last year’s Giant Steps, 83 % of the people rated their experience at Giant Steps 2010 an 8 out of 10 or higher, and 21 % rated it a 10 out of 10. We’re looking forward to building on that success and making this year’s event even better--with more...

When: Sat, March 5, 1pm – 3pm
Where: SPNN - 375 Jackson Street, Suite 250 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
Description: What is a copyright and how does it affect you as a video producer? Kenneth Kunkle of Kunkle Law Office will go over common questions creative people may have concerning copyright issues. Kenneth is a Minnesota lawyer and a graduate of Hamline University School of Law. Kenneth has been providing legal services to the Twin Cities business community, and focuses on issues affecting the technology, graphic and fine arts, and entertainment (music, film, and publishing) industries.
Cost: $25 for current members, $40 for non-members, $15 fimited income.
Call (651) 224-5153 for more information....

Is it a phone? An ebook reader? A video game controller? A credit card reader? An entertainment system? A medical device? A GPS navigator? A camera? A remote control? An email/social networking communication device? A news reader? Today's hand-held devices are ALL of these and more. As hand-held devices such as smart phones and tablet computers serve more and more functions in our lives, they also collect more and more information about us. The separate laws and regulations that evolved in a world in which communication, entertainment and technology were fairly distinct areas will be increasingly stressed as devices cross these boundaries in new ways. Our expert panel will explore the current and future business opportunities and legal implications of these cutting-edge technologies. Join us for this joint session of MSBA sections, sponsored by the Computer & Technology Law Section, the Communications Law Section, and the Arts & Entertainment Law Section.
Panel:
- Jamie Nafziger (Moderator), Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
- Kenneth Kunkle...

Legal Muse is pleased to announce that the editors of practiceblawg.com have named Legal Muse as one of the state’s top legal blogs. Besides referencing my content and images, the editors noted the recent release of my microsite mntrademark.com. I am grateful for this acknowledgment and am honored to be in the company of some really excellent law firm blogs. It’s a great honor, but it really puts on the pressure going forward....

The lawyer is often the butt of the joke or the object of the creative’s ire. The reason cited is often that the attorney was a roadblock of that great idea. As an attorney I can tell you that I understand why so many attorneys are viewed this way – I know that I sometimes feel like I am always delivering bad news – “no you can’t do that,” “if you do that there’s a risk you will get sued,” “There’s no guarantee that you will be paid,” and on and on with warnings and ambiguous gray areas that seem so expansive that you wonder what value talking to the attorney actually brings you. We don’t try to be spoilers, but on the other hand sometimes our role is be the reality check. It easy to be blinded by a great idea and when you have a hundred great ideas and projects flowing from your imagination – some of which...

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What People Are Saying

"He was available when needed and was willing to explain things clearly to me that i didn't understand about contracts." ~ Client

Area Served

Kunkle Law PLC is a Twin Cities (Roseville) law firm serving clients in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the rest of Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Carver, Scott, and Dakota counties. Trademark services are provided across the United States, Europe, the middle east, Africa, and Australia.